EP3411202A2 - Rotational solid - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotational solid for machining and/or processing products, having at least one functional portion which rotates during operation and a support portion connected to the functional portion, the support portion consisting at least in part of a foam material. The invention also relates to a method for producing a rotational solid that has at least one functional portion which rotates during operation and a support portion connected to the functional portion. The method comprises the following steps: providing a foaming mould that comprises at least one chamber, the chamber being delimited at least in part by at least one mould component belonging to the finished rotational solid, and the chamber containing a foamable starting material; and foaming the starting material that is in the chamber.

Description

 body of revolution

The present invention relates to a rotary body for processing and / or processing of products, having at least one operating area rotating during operation and a supporting area connected to the functional area. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a rotating body, which has at least one operating area rotating in operation and a carrying area connected to the functional area.

For processing and processing of products used rotating body, such as cutting blades, cutting and grinding wheels are exposed to high loads during operation, since they are usually operated at very high speeds. The heavier the body of revolution, the greater the load. Also, the associated device, to which the rotary body is attached, may be exposed to high loads due to vibrations during operation or already due to a high weight of the rotary body, which increase with increasing weight of the rotary body. Due to the required size of the rotational body or due to the material to be used for the rotary body, however, a high weight has hitherto been unavoidable in many applications if sufficient stability or rigidity of the rotary body is to be ensured.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a reduced-weight rotary body and a method for its production, without impairing the functionality of the rotary body and its stability or rigidity required for the respective application. This object is achieved by a rotary body having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 20.

According to the invention, the support region consists at least partially of one

Foam material.

As a special feature, because of their very low density, foam materials offer considerable weight savings, while generally retaining the mechanical properties of the starting material. They are therefore particularly suitable for constructions of lightweight construction.

The use of foam materials in the construction of bodies of revolution leads to statically and dynamically extremely strong rotating bodies with comparatively low weight, high rigidity and very good dimensional stability. In particular, due to the favorable mass distribution, centrifugal forces and the risk of an occurrence of imbalances can be reduced. If an imbalance occurs, the lightweight design leads to comparatively small vibrations. This has a positive effect on the wear behavior of a corresponding device to which the rotary body is attached. In general, the weight saving of the rotary body according to the invention leads to a relief of the bearing of such a device, since they have to carry a lower circumferential mass. The risk that the rotational body dissolves during use is also greatly reduced. Preferably, the foam material comprises a ceramic foam or foamed ceramics and / or a plastic foam. In particular, the foam material is a ceramic and / or plastic foam. According to a preferred embodiment, the foam material comprises a metal foam, in particular aluminum foam. The foam material is preferably a metal foam, in particular aluminum foam. Preferably, there is a cohesive connection between the foam material and at least one component of the rotary body. If the foam material comprises a metal foam, this may in particular be a metallic bond.

Metal foams are metallic structures with a large volume fraction of gas-filled pores. Metal foams can be divided into porous and closed-cell metal foams. Closed-cell metal foams have pores separated by thin metal films and may be substantially similar in structure to cork. Open-pored metal foams consist of a three-dimensional network of interconnected open pores that can be traversed by fluids. Open-cell metal foams have a very large internal surface area and can be substantially similar in structure to bone tissue or natural sponges. Therefore, they can also be called metal sponges.

The metal foam of the rotary body according to the invention is preferably an open-pore metal foam, but this embodiment is not mandatory. The use of metal foam, which is in particular a porous material with a high rigidity and a low specific weight and which has a very good energy absorption and damping capacity, can achieve a significant weight reduction. According to a further embodiment, the metal foam is produced by a powder metallurgical process, preferably by a thermal treatment, in particular sintering, of a metallic starting material. The powder metallurgical process may be, for example, the reaction of a metal powder with a powdered metal hydride. In this case, both powders are usually mixed together and compacted by sintering or extrusion to a starting material. The starting material is then heated to a temperature above the melting point of the metal powder, wherein the metal hydride releases gaseous hydrogen and foams the mixture.

Another possibility of metal foam production is to inject gas into a molten metal, which is previously made foamable by the addition of solid ingredients. The solid constituents may be, for example, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide or even calcium. For aluminum alloys to be foamed, for example, 10 to 12% by volume of silicon carbide or alumina is added. The solid components increase the viscosity of the melt and stabilize it.

A further, particularly preferred process for the production of metal foams used according to the invention is the slip reaction foam sintering process (SRSS process). In this process, the reaction of an acid, in particular phosphoric acid, with a metal powder, in particular iron, steel or nickel powder, formed in water and / or alcohol as a solvent hydrogen, which causes a foaming of the so-called slip. Other reaction products formed in this reaction bind the

Foam structure of the slurry and lead to a "freezing" of the foam structure. The result is first a precursor or green compact with a closed-pore structure. This starting material is then removed by a thermal treatment, in particular sintering, under a reducing atmosphere or in a vacuum to form an open-pored metal foam. The formation of the open-pored structure is based on the release of the solvent induced by the thermal treatment. The rotary body according to the invention preferably comprises an iron, stainless steel and / or steel foam.

The starting material can be present as powder, granules or in solid, in particular pre-pressed, block-like form. For example, the starting material may be in the form of a strand from which discs or pieces (pads) can be sawed or cut as needed. The cross-sectional shape of such a strand is basically arbitrary and can be adapted to the dimensions of the rotating body, in particular the dimensions of one or more receiving spaces to be filled with the metal foam.

To produce a plastic foam, a propellant is usually required. This can be added either in liquid form or as a powder to the unfoamed plastic. By converting the blowing agent into gas, a foam can be formed from the liquid or plastic-soft plastic.

Propellants can basically become gaseous by physical means or by chemical reaction. For example, low-boiling liquids can be used as blowing agents which act in a physical way to foam-form. By thermal treatment of the blowing agent-plastic mixture, the blowing agent can evaporate and thereby foam the plastic. Chemical blowing agents are usually those agents which decompose in a certain temperature range and thereby release the gas necessary for foaming. For example, one of the chemical blowing agents is ammonium bicarbonate, which can release CO2 when heated. Both the non-foamed plastic and a non-foamed ceramic material that can be converted into a ceramic foam by special processes, it is a starting material. With regard to the shape of the starting material, reference may be made to the above statements on the metallic material. In particular, the starting material may be present in the production of plastic and ceramic foams as granules.

The rotating body according to an embodiment is a cutting blade, a cutting wheel or a grinding wheel operated at more than 100 revolutions per minute.

The products to be processed or processed are, in particular, food products such as ham, sausage and cheese, which are sliced with a rotating body designed as a cutting blade. Furthermore, it may be products from the construction, metal, plastics and wood industries, such as bricks, tiles, boards, flooring, profiles, piping, fittings, etc.

The functional area of the rotating body is preferably its working area, i. the area that also causes the function of the rotating body such as cutting, cutting, crushing, pressing, depositing and / or grinding. In particular, the functional area is one

Cutting area, which may have a radially outwardly facing cutting edge.

A functional area may also be an optionally provided holding area, which serves in particular for fastening the rotational body to a corresponding device, for example a rotary drive. It is therefore preferred that the rotary body has at least two functional areas, in particular a radially outer and a radially inner. The holding rich may belong to the support area, but need not necessarily include the foam material itself.

The support region of the rotation body may be materially bonded, for example by welding, soldering or gluing, or also releasably connected to the functional area. Preferably, the cohesive connection is effected by welding. It is also conceivable that the support area is soldered to the functional area, screwed or riveted. Preferably, a substantially flush transition is provided between the support region and the functional region, so that edges and projections are avoided. An otherwise possible deposition of dirt and contamination on such edges and projections is thus prevented. According to a preferred embodiment, the rotary body is designed as a cutting blade with a cutting area forming the functional area. In particular, it is designed as a cutting knife, preferably as a circular, sickle, spiral or cutter knife, for a device for slicing, cutting and / or shredding food products, in particular for a high-performance slicer.

High-performance slicers are used to cut up food products, such as ham, sausage or cheese, with a high cutting rate, whereby the cutting speed of the slicer and thus the speed of the cutting knife can be between 100 and 1 .200 slices per minute. For the implementation of so-called idle cuts, which are possible with many slicers, the cutting blade must be moved within a very short time periods over a certain, relatively short disengagement or engagement distance in the axial direction and is thus exposed to high accelerations. As a result of the lightweight construction according to the invention, it is thus possible to simplify the performance of empty cuts. According to a further embodiment, the rotational body is disc-shaped and rotates in operation about an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to a disc plane of the rotational body. The axis of rotation corresponds in particular to a principal axis of inertia of the body of revolution.

Preferably, a maximum radius of the rotary body is greater than about 150 mm and / or less than about 600 mm. The weight of the rotating body is preferably greater than about 2 kg and / or less than about 50 kg.

The lightweight construction effect to be achieved by the use of the foam material has a marked effect, in particular in the case of rotary bodies of large diameter, which have a correspondingly high weight in a conventional construction method. Compared to conventionally produced rotating bodies, e.g. serve as a cutting blade for high-performance slicer, can be achieved by the use of the foam material, for example, a weight saving of about 20% to 60%.

The reduced weight of the rotary body according to the invention facilitates in particular its handling during transport and storage. In particular, it is advantageous for the user that the replacement of a rotational body on a corresponding device is made considerably easier.

The rotary body is preferably designed for working speeds or rotational speeds of more than approximately 100 rpm, more preferably of more than approximately 600 rpm, in particular of more than approximately 1.200 rpm. The reduced weight of the rotary body according to the invention compared with conventional rotary bodies has a particularly favorable effect on the wear behavior of the device at such operating speeds, at which the rotary body is solidified. For example, the life of the bearings of a rotary drive is significantly extended by the lightweight construction of the rotating body.

According to a further embodiment, a functional area is formed by a radially outer cutting area. Preferably, the cutting area has a radially outwardly directed cutting edge. The support region in this case comprises a central holding region as a further functional region for fastening the rotational body to a rotary drive and between the cutting region and the holding region an intermediate region consisting at least partially of the foam material.

The rotary body can thus have a three-part structure and in particular consist of an outer cutting area, a middle intermediate area and an inner holding area. The holding region is preferably in the form of a disk, cup or bowl and may be e.g. a central recess through which a drive shaft or a mounting pin for the rotary body may extend, and / or a plurality of openings for fastening, in particular by screwing, on a rotary drive. Furthermore, the holding region may have surfaces for non-positively fixing the rotational body to an associated receptacle.

The holding area can also serve for fastening the rotating body to a non-rotating part of a device. Such a device can be, for example, a knife guard, a transport device or a grinding or sharpening device. Preferably, however, the holding area serves primarily to fasten the rotating body to a receptacle, in particular a hub, of a rotary drive.

According to a preferred embodiment, the foam material with at least one outer cover element forms a composite component. The cover element may in particular be an upper or lower or front or rear half-shell of the rotary body, in particular a cutting blade.

The composite component can be characterized by an intimate, material-locking connection between the cover element and the foam material, which arises during the foaming of the starting material. During the foaming, the at least one cover element is preferably part of a foaming mold which comprises at least one receiving space into which the starting material is introduced before foaming.

In order to improve the connection between the cover element and the foam material, it can be advantageous if the surface of the cover element to be bonded to the foam material is chemically and / or mechanically pretreated. The mechanical pretreatment may, in particular, be roughening of the surface, for example by means of sandblasting. For example, grooves and / or grooves can be introduced into the surface in order to increase the contact area between the foam material and the cover element. The chemical pretreatment may in particular be a wet-chemical roughening of the surface by means of acids. Furthermore, it may be a metallurgical treatment of the surface of the cover element to be joined to the foam material, in which the surface is coated with an additional metal layer, for example zinc.

Optionally, the holding area and / or the cutting area may also have such a surface treatment.

Preferably, the composite component has a sandwich structure of an upper or front cover element, the foam material and a lower or Hinte- Ren cover element, wherein it may be in the cover elements to the half-shells of at least a portion of a rotating body, in particular located between an outer cutting area and a central holding area intermediate portion of the rotary body forming cutting blade.

According to a further embodiment, the support region comprises at least two outer cover elements, between which the foam material is arranged. Preferably, the support portion at least partially has a sandwich structure, as e.g. is described above, wherein an intimate, cohesive connection between the foam material and the cover elements may be provided, but need not necessarily be provided. According to a further embodiment, the two outer cover elements belong to an intermediate region, which is located between a radially outer cutting region and a central holding region.

In this case, the cover elements are preferably connected radially to the outside with the cutting area and radially inward to the holding area.

On the holding area and / or the cutting area optionally adjacent end faces of the intermediate region may be formed open or closed. Under "open" is to be understood that the end face is formed substantially from a surface of the foam material. By "closed" is to be understood that the two outer cover elements, between which the foam material is arranged, form the end faces of the intermediate region. For this purpose, the two outer cover elements, for example, be pressed together touching each other. Furthermore, a cover element or even both cover elements can be bent over an edge of the intermediate region. At least one of the cover elements may be at least partially plate-shaped. It is preferred if both cover elements have plate-shaped sections which run in particular parallel to one another.

The intermediate region is particularly preferably a sandwich construction consisting of two at least partially at least substantially parallel, at least substantially flat outer cover elements and the foam material arranged between them.

Furthermore, at least one cover element can have one or more non-plate-shaped sections. For example, these may be sections that are curved outward or in the direction of the foam material. Optionally, an entire outer side of the intermediate region or the entire intermediate region may also be arched. It is also conceivable that the two outer cover elements have non-plate-shaped sections that are complementary to each other, so that in particular the distance between the two outer cover elements remains substantially the same. Preferably, the intermediate area on a bowl.

A non-plate-like shape of a cover element can be realized by appropriate prefabrication or during foaming. In the latter case, the fact can be exploited that during the foaming of the primary material a volumetric expansion can occur or an increase in pressure in the corresponding foaming mold. This increase in pressure or this increase in volume can be exploited for a controlled deformation of at least one cover element. For this purpose, for example, during foaming, the intermediate region can be stretched into a molding component which permits expansion only in a certain direction. The cover elements are preferably separate prefabricated parts which, in particular in the production of the rotary body, are connected to the cutting area and / or holding area, preferably by welding.

Preferably, the cover elements, in particular when it comes to separately prefabricated parts to sheets, for example, for use in the food industry made of stainless steel. It is also possible that at least one of the cover elements is formed integrally with the cutting and / or holding area. For example, one of the two cover elements may be integrally formed with the cutting area and the other cover element with the holding area, the prefabrication then preferably each consisting of a single workpiece, e.g. from a relatively thick sheet, takes place.

According to a further embodiment, according to the construction principle described above, at least one outer cover element is formed by the functional area.

As described above, at least one of the outer cover elements may be formed by the functional region, in particular holding region and / or cutting region. According to a further embodiment, the cover elements may be supported against each other, in particular by one or more support elements.

The support elements can be projections, for example in the form of webs, ribs and / or hooks, which are attached to at least one of the cover elements. These projections can be fixed to the cover element, eg bolted, riveted, glued and / or welded. Furthermore, such protrusions can be formed on at least one cover element during its prefabrication. In addition, the support elements may be deformations, in particular impressions, of at least one cover element. The deformations may be punctiform, strip-shaped, concentric, for example in the manner of a wave profile, and / or in the form of segments or surfaces. For example, an embossing may have the shape of a circle, a triangle, a circle segment, a sheet segment and / or quadrilateral, in particular a rectangle, a square, a trapezoid or a rhombus.

The stabilizing effect of the support elements may be based, on the one hand, on the fact that the projections and / or deformations of a cover element each extend to the other cover element. Furthermore, the support elements can be arranged opposite one another on both cover elements, so that the support elements touch one another. In particular, it may also be a combination of both variants. Preferably, the support elements are parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary body and in particular have a uniform distribution or symmetrical arrangement. For example, a plurality of support elements may be arranged concentrically and / or in the form of radial beams. It may also be provided that at least one cover element comprises an embossment which is designed to accommodate at least one microchip, in particular an RFID chip. For example, an identifier, maintenance intervals and / or operating times can be stored on such a microchip. Furthermore, at least one cover element may comprise at least one embossment which is provided with a thread and serves in particular for fixing an external device, for example a knife guard or a handling device.

The support elements are preferably completely surrounded by the foam material and form with this preferably a composite material.

According to a further embodiment, the foam material fills at least one receiving space, which is bounded at least by an outer cover element and an inner delimiting element.

The receiving space is preferably one or more open pockets, which are formed, in particular, by the arrangement of one or more boundary elements on an inner side of at least one cover element.

The inner boundary elements can be struts, webs, ribs and / or walls, which can be mounted, for example, on an inner side of the cover element, in particular by screwing, gluing, welding and / or riveting. In addition, the limiting elements can be provided with openings, which can preferably be penetrated by the foam material. The boundary elements can also be formed in the framework of a prefabrication of the cover member of this. It is also conceivable that the limiting elements are impressions of the cover element. With regard to the shape of the impressions can be made to the above statements on the support elements. By appropriate arrangements of such limiting elements can be in size and shape almost any, at least partially separated or in particular completely separate receiving spaces produce, each receiving space can absorb Aufschaum Bares starting material. The pre-material is preferably adapted in its shape to the geometry of the receiving space. By way of example, these may be pads of the starting material, each of which corresponds in shape or at least similar to that of the receiving space in which they are introduced. Furthermore, the starting material can be adapted in terms of its amount to the size of the respective receiving space, in particular such that the resulting from the starting material foam material at least substantially completely fills the receiving space and both underfilling and overfilling with the foam material is avoided.

The receiving space may also be a closed chamber, which is formed in particular during the production process of the rotary body by providing a corresponding foaming mold. According to a further embodiment it is provided that at least one cover element projects into the receiving space.

For this purpose, the cover element preferably comprises at least one structural element, for example one or more projections, in particular in the form of webs, ribs and / or hooks, which are connected to the cover element. Alternatively or additionally, the cover element can also have deformations, for example impressions. With regard to the configuration of the structural elements and the deformations, reference may be made to the above statements on the support elements. The at least one structural element is preferably surrounded by the foam material.

The protrusion of a cover element into the receiving space serves to increase the interface between the foam material and the cover element and can thus result in a particularly strong connection, in particular a particularly strong bond.

Advantageous embodiments of the rotary body may comprise a combination of support elements and structural elements. At least one support element can simultaneously be a structural element, and vice versa.

According to a further embodiment, a strength member is provided, which is at least partially surrounded by the foam material.

The reinforcement is preferably in the manner of an insert, in particular reinforcement or reinforcement, formed and preferably at least partially disposed in a space filled by the foam material receiving space. By way of example, the strength carrier may be a structured sheet metal and / or a flat two- or three-dimensional grid. Preferably, the strength member is arranged loosely between the cover elements or on a cover element prior to foaming of the starting material. The strength member may also be firmly connected to at least one cover element.

At least one strength element can simultaneously be a structural element and / or support element, and vice versa. According to a further embodiment, the functional region of the rotary body is provided with at least one connecting element which extends into the foam material or through the foam material. By way of example, the connecting element may be a projection which protrudes radially outwards from a central holding region or radially inward from an outer cutting region. The connecting element may extend in this way into at least one receiving space and is preferably surrounded by the foam material.

The connecting elements, in particular projections, may be formed, for example, as ring segments, pins, hooks and / or webs. It may also be hollow bodies such as e.g. Trade tubes. The connecting elements are preferably arranged on a radially outer end side of the holding region and / or on a radially inner end side of the cutting region, preferably symmetrically. With regard to the connection between the connecting element and the functional area, reference may be made to the above statements.

The connecting elements can improve the connection between the functional and supporting area and bring about an optimization of the rotational body with regard to its rigidity and its deformation behavior. Furthermore, the connecting elements, in particular projections, exert a support function for the cover elements of the rotation body, in particular when their height corresponds approximately to the distance between the outer cover elements. It is also possible that the connecting elements perform the function of an inner limiting element and are involved in this way in the formation of the receiving space. In general, a connection element can simultaneously be a structural element, support element and / or strength element, and vice versa.

According to a further embodiment, the functional area of the rotary body is connected in a form-fitting manner to the foam material.

The positive connection can be realized in particular by the above-described connecting elements which are arranged on the functional areas. Furthermore, the functional area can have at least one pocket. In particular, the pocket can be designed as a pocket concentrically surrounding the functional area. It can also be subdivided by limiting elements into several pockets. The pocket of a central holding region is preferably open radially outward and the pocket of an outer cutting region preferably radially inwardly. The bag may constitute a partial boundary of a receiving space and is preferably of the

Foamed material at least partially, preferably completely, filled.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a rotational body, in particular a rotational body described above, which has at least one functional area rotating during operation and a bearing area connected to the functional area. The method comprises the following steps:

Providing a foaming mold comprising at least one receiving space, wherein the receiving space is at least partially of at least one Form member is limited, which belongs to the later rotary body, and wherein the receiving space contains a foamable starting material,

 Foaming of the primary material located in the receiving space, in particular by a thermal treatment, for example sintering, and / or chemical treatment.

The molding component is preferably a cover element, an outer cutting area, a central holding area or a combination of at least two of these components.

The receiving space or the foaming mold can thus be filled with the starting material, covered and then, in particular by thermal treatment, foamed. If necessary, subsequent processing of the rotation body can follow the last method step. For example, the rotational body by bending processes and / or forming processes can be provided with a profiling, bale and / or curvature. The post-processing may in particular also relate only to the functional area of the rotational body. For example, it can be a machining of the cutting area, in particular the forming and / or sharpening of a cutting edge. Furthermore, the post-processing can be a straightening or balancing of the rotational body. Furthermore, the provision of the foam mold may also include a metallurgical treatment of the rotary body or a part thereof. For example, the rotary body can be coated with an additional metal layer, in particular zinc. In particular, for curing may be further followed by a further thermal treatment, in particular sintering. Furthermore, the provision of the foaming mold can be followed by covering or closing the receiving space as a further method step. This step may be provided, in particular, if the foaming mold is not completely bounded by molded components that belong to the later rotary body.

According to a preferred embodiment, the foaming of the starting material takes place when the receiving space is closed. The covering or closing of the receiving space is preferably carried out with a tool or a holder. The mold or parts of the foam mold are preferably clamped in the tool or the holder and preferably completely surrounded by the tool or the holder. In particular, the tool or the holder may have a shape that corresponds to the contours of the mold or of the finished body of revolution. In particular, the tool or the holder may be part of the receiving space of the foam mold. In this case, the tool or the holder can serve as a placeholder for a molded component, which is added only after foaming.

Preferably, the at least one molding component is biased such that its shape does not change during the foaming. The shape of the tool or the holder is adapted to the contours of the mold component or adapts to the contours of the foaming. As a result, the pressure generated during foaming can be compensated. In particular, an at least approximately uniform distribution of the resulting foaming pressure can be achieved.

It can also be provided that the pressure arising during the foaming, at least locally, for a controlled deformation or deformation of the Molded part is used. For this purpose, the mold component, preferably by means of the tool or the holder, a shape design can be specified, in which the mold member can expand. Accordingly, it can be provided according to a further embodiment, that the mold component is prefabricated and / or biased in the foaming mold such that the shape of the mold component is changed during the foaming.

The closed receiving space may comprise at least one discharge or degassing opening. In particular, a solvent released as a result of foaming and displaced air can escape through this opening. Preferably, the discharge or degassing has a very small compared to the volume of the receiving space cross-section. From the discharge or degassing exiting foam material can also be used as an indicator that the receiving space is completely filled with foam material. Preferably, the exiting foam material should cool as directly as possible at the relatively small discharge or degassing opening, solidify and close the discharge or degassing opening.

With particular advantage, the amount and shape of the starting material used and / or the intensity of the thermal treatment can be adjusted such that the receiving space is filled to a desired proportion, in particular 100%, by the foam material, in particular without changing its shape. Optionally, a targeted underfilling of the receiving space may be provided. Likewise, it is possible to provide overfilling of the receiving space, in particular as described above, to utilize the foaming pressure for forming the molded component. According to a further embodiment, the starting material is divided into a plurality of separated receiving spaces of the foaming mold, wherein preferably the starting material in each case corresponds in its shape to the shape of the respective receiving space. The starting material can be metered into the receiving spaces, in particular in the form of pads, pellets, granules or introduced in another way.

In order to facilitate degassing during foaming, the receiving spaces can communicate with each other in terms of flow, so that at least one gas permeability or an overflow of gases is present.

According to a further embodiment, the receiving space is limited exclusively by forming components belonging to the later rotational body. According to a further embodiment, the foam mold is made of several

Assembled mold components, in particular all belong to the later rotary body.

The mold components are preferably connected to each other before foaming, in particular by welding, soldering, gluing and / or riveting. Particularly preferably, the connection of the mold components by welding takes place.

If the connection of the mold components takes place under the action of heat, the intended connection points are preferably formed at a predetermined safety distance from the primary material.

Such a safety distance may be indicated in order to prevent any premature foaming of the starting material induced by the heat effect of the bonding process. The size of the safety margin depends in particular on the type of connection and the connection method. According to a further embodiment, a molding component comprises an at least substantially plate-shaped portion, wherein at least one further molding component has a non-plate-like shape.

The further molded component preferably forms the functional area of the rotary body, in particular an outer cutting area and / or a central holding area. The non-plate-like shape of the further molded component is preferably obtained by prefabrication.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a cutting blade is produced as a rotational body, wherein at least one molding component forms a radially outer cutting region and at least one molding component forms a central retaining region of the bearing region.

The cutting area and / or the holding area can each be formed by separate mold components. Alternatively, both the cutting region and the holding region can each be formed by a single mold component, which can also form one of the outer cover elements of the intermediate region.

According to a further embodiment, at least one molding component forms an outer cover element of an intermediate region, which is arranged between the cutting region and the retaining region.

The cover member may have a non-plate shape obtained by prefabrication. In particular, cover elements disposed opposite one another can have a non-plate-shaped shape which is complementary to one another. Possible developments of the invention are also specified in the dependent claims, the drawings and the description.

The invention will be described below with reference to the drawing ben. shows a perspective top view of a rotary body according to the invention. shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the rotating body of Fig. 1st shows a cross-sectional view of the rotating body of Fig. 1st FIG. 3 shows a perspective cross-section of a functional region forming a cutting area of the embodiment according to FIG. 1. shows a perspective top view of another embodiment of a cutting area forming functional area. FIG. 7 shows an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of a holding area forming functional area of the embodiment according to FIG. 1. FIG.

Fig. 8 shows a plan view of another embodiment of a

Holding area forming functional area. shows a plan view of another embodiment of a holding area forming functional area. shows an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of cover elements of the embodiment of FIG. 1st 1 shows an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of a metal foam-filled receiving space of the embodiment according to FIG. 1. shows a cross-sectional view of a rotating body according to the invention prior to its assembly. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled rotational body shown in Fig. 12A. shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a rotating body according to the invention prior to foaming. shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a rotating body according to the invention before foaming.

FIGS. 15A-15G each show, purely schematically, a cross-sectional view of a possible embodiment of a foaming mold. 16A shows a perspective top view of a wire representation of a further embodiment of a rotation body according to the invention. FIG. 16B shows a perspective top view of the rotation body. FIG

 Fig. 16A with removed cover element.

Fig. 16C shows a perspective bottom view of the rotating body

 Fig. 16A with removed cover element.

1 shows a rotational body 10 according to the invention with an outer functional region 12 and a support region 14, which comprises a further inner functional region 12 formed as a holding region 20. The rotary body 10 is designed as a cutting blade, in particular for a high-performance slicer, as a circular blade. The outer functional region 12 is a cutting region 18, which has a cutting edge 19 pointing radially outward. The holding portion 20 is cup-shaped and has a circular central recess 21, the attachment of the

Cutting knife on a cutting device is used. Between the holding portion 20 and the cutting portion 18, an annular intermediate portion 22 is arranged, which comprises a plate-shaped portion 42 and a chamfered portion 44. The chamfered portion 44 and the plate-shaped portion 42 are formed by a first outer cover member 26. The cutting area 18, the intermediate area 22 and the holding area 20 are connected to each other at connection points 40. The joints 40 are welds.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the previously described cutting blade, from which it can be seen that the intermediate region 22 comprises a receiving space 32 extending between the first outer cover element 26 and a second outer cover member 28. The receiving space 32 is completely filled by a metal foam 16. In the radially outer direction of the receiving space 32 is limited by a projection 48 of the cutting portion 18. The contour of the projection 48 is matched to a radially outer end face 23a of the intermediate region 22 in such a way that the cutting region 18 is connected flush with the intermediate region 22 and as seamlessly as possible through the connection points 40. A hygienically unfavorable accumulation of product residues can thus be prevented. The radially inner side of the receiving space 32 is bounded by an end face 50 of the holding region 20. The end face 50 is adapted to a radially inner end face 23b of the intermediate region 22 such that both elements are connected flush to one another at the connection points 40. As can be seen in the detailed illustrations according to FIGS. 4 and 7, the end face 50 further comprises two ribs 52 concentrically encircling the holding region 20, each forming a stop surface 53 for the outer cover elements 26, 28. An assembly of the intermediate region 22 with the holding region 20 is facilitated because, for example, for welding, the connection point 40 is easily accessible on a respective outside of the outer cover elements 26, 28.

1 1 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the receiving space 32, which is completely filled by the metal foam 16. In other words, Fig. 1 1 isolated the foam filling, ie a body formed by the metal foam 16 with end faces 23a, 23b. As already explained, the receiving space 32 is bounded on the one hand by the outer cover elements 26, 28, which are shown insulated in FIG. On the other hand, the receiving space 32 is limited by the cutting area 18, which is shown in isolation in FIG. 5, and by the holding area 20, which is shown in isolation in FIG. Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the cutting blade shown in Fig. 1. It can be seen that the radially outwardly pointing cutting edge 19 defines a cutting plane E, which extends at right angles to a rotation axis R of the circular blade 10. The axis of rotation R extends centrally through the recess 21 of the holding portion 20. A radius D of the rotating body 10, which results from the length of a connecting line between the axis of rotation R and a point on the radially outwardly facing cutting edge 19, for example, is about 25 cm ,

6 shows a plan view of a further embodiment of the cutting area 18. This has six symmetrically arranged and radially inwardly extending connecting elements 34. The connecting elements 34 each have the shape of a ring segment and extend in the finished state of the rotary body 10 from an end face 51 of the cutting area into the metal foam 16 and are surrounded by it. This increases the stability of the connection between the cutting region 18 and the intermediate region 22. FIG. 8 shows a plan view of an embodiment of the holding region 20, which has six symmetrically arranged and radially outwardly extending tab-like connecting elements 34 on its end face 50. The connecting elements 34 each have the shape of a ring segment. In the finished state of the rotary body 10, the connecting elements 34 extend into the metal foam 16 and are surrounded by it. In this way, a particularly stable connection between the holding region 20 and the intermediate region 22 is achieved.

9 shows a plan view of a further embodiment of the holding region 20, which has on its end face 50 six symmetrically arranged rod-shaped connections. has elements 34. The connecting elements 34 extend comparatively far into the metal foam 16 in the finished state of the rotary body 10 and are surrounded by it. The connecting elements 34 shown in FIGS. 6 and 9 are connected to the respective functional region 12, for example by welding or by threading. The connecting elements 34 according to FIG. 8 are formed, for example, in one piece with the holding region 20 and were obtained, for example, by milling the entire holding region 20.

Both the holding region 20 and the cutting region 18 are made of steel or stainless steel, wherein other materials can be used for the connecting elements 34. 12 greatly simplifies the assembly of a rotary body 10. According to FIG. 12A, first a cutting area 18 and a holding area 20 and a composite component 30, which forms the intermediate area 22, are provided. The composite component 30 consists of a first outer cover element 26 and a second outer cover element 28, each of which is a noble steel sheet. The receiving space 32 located between the two outer cover elements 26, 28 is completely filled with metal foam 16.

The composite component 30 is produced by filling a foaming mold 36 (see Fig. 15) delimited by the outer cover elements 26, 28 with a foamable metallic starting material 24 (see Figures 13 and 14) and then subjecting it to a thermal treatment. The starting material 24 is thereby transferred into the metal foam 16, and there is an intimate, materially bonded connection between the outer cover elements 26, 28 and the metal foam 16. In particular, the intermediate portion 22 forming the composite part 30 also be cut or punched from a large composite panel as needed.

The inner surfaces of the outer cover elements 26, 28 adjoining the metal foam 16 are also subjected to a wet-chemical etching process for roughening and thus enlarging the surface prior to introduction of the starting material 24. As a result, the cohesive connection resulting after foaming is improved. The cutting area 18 and the holding area 20 are produced separately in a prefabrication process.

According to FIG. 12B, the joining of the composite part 30 to the cutting region 18 and the holding region 20 takes place by welding at the joints 40. Since the metal foam 16 has already hardened, the local heat development caused by the welding at the connection points 40 is not critical.

Fig. 13 shows a rotary body according to the invention before foaming. In contrast to the rotational body 10 shown in FIG. 12B, the receiving space 32 is at least partially filled with foamable metallic starting material 24. The edge region 27 of the first outer cover element 26 is also bent such that it touches the edge region 29 of the second outer cover element 28 and closes the receiving space 32. Due to the mutually contacting edge regions 27, 29 of the outer cover elements 26, 28, a spatial distance A is created between the connection points 40 and the receiving space 32. This distance A represents a safety distance in order to premature foaming of the starting material 24 by the heat development during the welding to avoid the joints 40. The weld seam extending at the connection points 40 is thus offset radially outwards relative to the receiving space 32. For the foaming of the preliminary stage of a rotary body 10 shown in FIG. 13, it can be provided that at least one of the outer cover elements 26, 28 has a small degassing opening (not shown) in order to compensate for the gas pressure occurring during foaming in the interior of the receiving space 32.

FIG. 14 shows a further embodiment of a rotational body 10 according to the invention prior to foaming of the starting material 24. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 13, the first outer cover element 26 has both an outer plate-shaped section 42 and a radially inner curved section 46. Complementarily, the second outer cover element 28 likewise has both a plate-shaped section 42 and a curved section 46. The opposite plate-shaped sections run parallel to one another. Apart from the area at which the edge regions 27, 29 of the outer cover elements 26, 28 converge, the distance between the outer cover elements 26, 28 is substantially equal.

In order to prevent the shape of the intermediate region 22 during the foaming by the inside of the receiving space 32 developing

Gas pressure changes, it is provided to clamp at least the intermediate region 22 in a schematically indicated by dashed lines holder 54.

The holder 54 comprises two half parts 56, which may also be referred to as dies or adapters, and of which one of the contours of the first outer cover element 26 and one of the contours of the second outer cover element 28 is adapted. The bracket 54 prevents in this way bulging or

Denting the outer cover elements 26, 28th

FIG. 15 schematically shows various foaming molds 36, each of which comprises a receiving space 32. The foam molds 36 are each made of molded parts limited len 38, which belong to the rotating body 10 to be produced. The shaped components 38 can be designed differently and optionally comprise a plurality of regions of the rotary body 10 to be produced. FIGS. 15A to 15E and 15G each show a foaming mold 36 having a receiving space 32 which is delimited exclusively by mold components 38 belonging to the later rotary body 10. In contrast, Fig. 15F shows a foaming mold 36 in which one side of the receiving space 32 is open or during the

Foaming process is limited by a holder (not shown here).

FIG. 15A shows a foaming mold 36 which is delimited by two mold components 38. In this case, a mold component 38 forms the first outer cover element 26 and the holding region 20, while the other mold component 38 forms the second outer cover element 28 and the cutting region 18.

FIG. 15B shows a foaming mold 36 that is formed from three mold components 38. One of the mold components 38 forms both the first outer cover element 26 and the holding region 20. The other mold components 38 are, on the one hand, the cutting region 18 and, on the other hand, the second outer cover element 28.

FIG. 15C shows a foaming mold formed from three mold members 38. In this case, a shaped component 38 forms the second outer cover element 28 and the holding region 20. The other shaped components 38 are, on the one hand, the cutting region 18 and, on the other hand, the first outer cover element 26.

FIG. 15D shows a foaming mold formed from four mold members 38. The shaped components 38 are the outer cover elements 26, 28, the cutting area 18 and the holding area 20. FIG. 15E shows a foaming mold 36 that is formed from three mold components 38, wherein a mold component 38 forms the second outer cover element 28 and the cutting region 18. The other shaped components 38 are, on the one hand, the holding region 20 and, on the other hand, the first outer cover element 26.

Fig. 15F shows a foaming mold 36 formed of two mold members 38 and open on the side where the second outer cover member 28 is disposed in the other foaming molds 36 described above. One of the mold components 38 forms the first outer cover element 26 and the cutting region 18. The other mold component 38 forms the holding region 20. During the foaming process, the open side can be closed by a holder (not shown) belonging to the later rotary body. This side of the metal foam formed after removal of the holder after the foaming can remain so or subsequently, for example. be closed by a cover member or sealed by suitable means.

FIG. 15G shows the foaming mold 36 according to FIG. 15E, with the difference that a strength support 58 in the form of a three-dimensional grid is arranged in the receiving space 32.

To produce the rotary bodies 10 by means of the foam molds according to FIGS. 15A to 15E and 15G, the receiving space 32 is first filled with the desired amount of the starting material 24. Subsequently, the receiving space 32 is closed by welding the mold components 38, wherein, for example, one of the outer cover elements 26, 28 is provided with a small pressure equalization or degassing opening (not shown). The foaming of the starting material 24 takes place by thermal treatment. In this case, the obtained precursors of the rotary body are clamped in a holder 54 (see Fig. 14) to prevent deformation of the mold members 38 during foaming. The production of the rotary body 10 by means of the foam mold 36 according to FIG. 15F is essentially analogous. As already mentioned, the closing of the foam mold 36, which is open on one side, takes place by clamping into a holder. The holder can serve as a placeholder for the still missing second outer cover element 28. The rotary body 10 thus obtained then has a surface formed by the metal foam 16. If necessary, this surface can be closed or sealed afterwards. A pressure equalization opening in a mold component 38 that belongs to the later rotation body can be dispensed with.

FIGS. 16A to 16C show a further embodiment of a rotary body 10 according to the invention, which is designed as a cutting blade. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the rotary body 10 has eight receiving spaces 32 separated from one another by connecting elements 34. The representation of a foam material has been omitted. The connecting elements 34 thus also exercise the function of a limiting element.

In FIGS. 16B and 16C, in which the first outer cover element 26 (FIG. 16B) or the second outer cover element 28 (FIG. 16C) is not illustrated, it can be clearly seen that the connection elements 34 project from the end face 50 of FIG Holding region 20 extend to the end face 51 of the cutting portion 18 and connect both functional areas 12 together. The connecting elements 34 are integrally formed with the cutting area 18 and welded to the end face 50 of the holding portion 20 or vice versa. A completely one-piece

Formation of cutting area 18, connecting elements 34 and holding area 20, realizable e.g. by punching, is also conceivable.

In the production of the rotary body 10, the second outer cover element 28 is connected to the functional areas 12 connected via the connecting elements 34 welded. In this case, the connecting elements 34 together with an inner side of the second outer cover element 28 and the end faces 50, 51 form receiving spaces 32 in the form of circular segment-like pockets 33. In these pockets 33, metallic starting material 24 (not shown) is adapted as the shape of the pockets 33 Dosed pads. Subsequently, the first outer cover element 26 is welded at the connection points 40 with the functional areas 12 and the receiving space 32 or the pockets 33 are closed. The metering takes place in such a way that after the subsequent thermal treatment, the eight receiving spaces 32 are completely filled with metal foam 16. For pressure equalization, the outer cover elements 26, 28 can be provided with at least one pressure equalization opening (not shown).

In principle, a wide variety of types of rotary bodies can be produced by the method according to the invention. To name a few, in addition to cutting knives, in particular cutting discs and grinding wheels. With particular advantage, the field of application of the rotary body 10 according to the invention can be determined by the configuration of the radially outer functional region 12. In the case of a prefabricated intermediate region 22, different rotational bodies 10 can be obtained on the basis of a modular principle by the choice of different functional regions 12. In addition to a cutting region 18, the radially outer functional region 12 may in particular be a grinding region or separating region. Also, the holding portion 20 can be adapted in this way the respective device to which the rotary body 10 is to be attached.

The rotational body 10 does not have to have rotational symmetry, as it is at least substantially given, for example, in a circular knife for a slicer. A rotary body according to the invention may, for example, also be a sickle or spiral knife for a slicer. LIST OF REFERENCES

10 rotating bodies

 12 functional area

14 support area

 16 metal foam

 18 cutting area

 19 cutting edge

 20 holding area

21 recess

 22 intermediate area

 23a outer face

 23b inner face

 24 starting material

26 cover element

 27 border area

 28 cover element

 29 border area

 30 composite component

32 recording room

 33 bag

 34 connecting element

36 foaming mold

 38 molded component

40 connection points

 42 plate-shaped section

 44 bevelled section

 46 arched section

 48 approach

50 front side

 51 front side

 52 rib

 53 stop surface

 54 bracket

56 half part

 58 reinforcement

R rotation axis

 E cutting plane

D radius

 A distance

Claims

claims A rotary body (10) for processing and / or processing products, having at least one operating area (12) rotating in operation and a support area (14) connected to the functional area, wherein the support area (14) consists at least partially of a foam material (16). Rotary body according to claim 1, characterized in that the foam material (16) comprises a metal foam. Rotary body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that between the foam material (16) and at least one component of the rotary body (10) is a material connection. Rotary body according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the metal foam (16) is produced by a powder metallurgical process, in particular by thermal treatment of a metallic starting material (24). Rotary body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary body (10) is designed as a cutting blade with a functional area (12) forming the cutting area (18), in particular as a cutting blade, preferably as a circular, sickle, spiral or cutter knives, for a device for slicing food products, in particular for a high-performance slicer. Rotary body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary body (10) is disc-shaped and rotates in operation about a rotation axis (R) which is perpendicular to a disc plane of the rotary body (10). Rotary body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a maximum radius of the rotary body (10) is greater than about 150 mm and / or less than about 600 mm. Rotary body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary body (10) is designed for working speeds of more than about 100 rpm, preferably of more than about 600 rpm, more preferably of more than about 1 .200 rpm / minute Rotary body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a functional region (12) is formed by a radially outer cutting region (18), and in that the supporting region (14) has a central retaining region (20) as a further functional region (12) for fastening the Rotary body (10) on a rotary drive and between the cutting region (18) and the holding region (20) comprises an intermediate region (22) consisting at least partially of a foam material (16). Rotary body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foam material (16) with at least one outer cover element (26, 28) forms a composite component (30). Rotary body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support region (14) comprises at least two outer cover elements (26, 28), between which the foam material (16) is arranged. 12. Rotary body according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the two outer cover elements (26, 28) belonging to an intermediate region (22) which is located between a radially outer cutting region (18) and a central holding portion (20). 13. Rotary body according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that at least one outer cover element (26, 28) of the functional area (12) is formed. 14. Rotary body according to one of claims 1 1 to 13, characterized in that the cover elements (26, 28) supported one another and / or fixed. Rotary body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foam material (16) fills at least one receiving space (32) which is delimited at least by an outer cover element (26, 28) and an inner limiting element. 16. Rotary body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cover element (26, 28) projects into one of the foam material (16) filled receiving space (32) into it. 17. Rotary body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a strength member (58) is provided which is at least partially surrounded by the foam material (16). 18. Rotary body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional region (12) of the rotary body (10) is provided with at least one connecting element (34) extending into the foam material (16) or through the foam material (16) extends. 19. Rotary body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional area (12) of the rotary body (10) with the foam material (16) is positively connected. 20. A method for producing a rotational body, in particular a rotational body (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which has at least one operating region (12) which rotates during operation and a bearing region (14) which is connected to the functional region (12),  comprising the steps:  Providing a foaming mold (36) which comprises at least one receiving space (32),  wherein the receiving space (32) is at least partially bounded by at least one forming member (38) associated with the later rotating body (10), and  wherein the receiving space (32) contains a foamable starting material (24),  - Foaming of the in the receiving space (32) located Vormaterials (24). 21. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that the foaming takes place when the receiving space (32) is closed. A method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the starting material (24) is divided into a plurality of separated receiving spaces (32) of the foaming mold (36). Method according to one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the receiving space (32) is delimited exclusively by the later rotational body (10) belonging to the mold components (38). Method according to one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the foaming mold (36) is composed of a plurality of mold components (38). 25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that all mold components (38) belong to the later rotary body (10). 26. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the molded components (38) are connected to each other before foaming. 27. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that the mold members (38) are connected to each other under heat, wherein the connection points (40) are formed at a predetermined safety distance from the starting material (24). 28. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 27, characterized in that at least one mold component (38) comprises an at least substantially plate-shaped portion (42), and that at least one further mold member (38) has a non-plate-like shape. 29. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 28, characterized in that a cutting blade is produced as a rotational body (10), wherein at least one molded component (38) has a radially outer cutting region (18) and at least one molded component (38) has a central holding region ( 20) of the support area (14). 30. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 29, characterized in that at least one mold member (38) an outer cover member (26, 28) of an intermediate portion (22) which is disposed between the cutting area (18) and the holding portion (20) is. 31. A method according to claim 30, characterized in that the cover element (26, 28) has a non-plate-like shape obtained by prefabrication. 32. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 31, characterized in that the mold component (38) is biased in the foaming mold (36) that the shape of the mold member (38) is not changed during the foaming. 33. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 31, characterized in that the mold component (38) is prefabricated in such a way and / or in the foam mold (36) is biased that the shape of the mold component (38) is changed during the foaming.